The top half of my lifelines are hard and light brown in color...kind of rough and baked. The fittings and the wire seem to be in good order. Any suggestions for bringing these back to life or are they too far gone? I have tried acetone and Westley's bleach white without success.
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I didn't want skinny life lines
so I opened 3 strand 3/4 inch rope and wrapped it around the wire life lines and finished the ends and the stanchions with turksheads. They are nice to grab and nice to hit with your thighs.
so I opened 3 strand 3/4 inch rope and wrapped it around the wire life lines and finished the ends and the stanchions with turksheads. They are nice to grab and nice to hit with your thighs.
Is spectra...
...legal? I believe coated lines aren't supposed to be installed/used anymore (tough to see behind the coating to spot a potential problem), but this is the 1st I've heard of Spectra being used for this purpose. If the breaking strength is comparable, I guess it'd be ok. Thoughts?
...legal? I believe coated lines aren't supposed to be installed/used anymore (tough to see behind the coating to spot a potential problem), but this is the 1st I've heard of Spectra being used for this purpose. If the breaking strength is comparable, I guess it'd be ok. Thoughts?
Spectra not legal??
My understanding is that Spectra is not legal and will not pass inspection for ORC requirements.
My understanding is that Spectra is not legal and will not pass inspection for ORC requirements.
Lifeline requirements
Liam - You are correct, for races that require meeting ORC race requirements, Spectra would not be legal. Only uncoated stainless meets the requirements. I researched this thoroughly last year when prepping my boat for the Chi-Mac race (ORC standards). Spectra IS an alternative if racing is not on the agenda, or if the racing is done only at the local PHRF level where the ORC requirements may not be a factor. If you are doing local PHRF racing, I'd check with the race committee's to see what they say. T J
Liam - You are correct, for races that require meeting ORC race requirements, Spectra would not be legal. Only uncoated stainless meets the requirements. I researched this thoroughly last year when prepping my boat for the Chi-Mac race (ORC standards). Spectra IS an alternative if racing is not on the agenda, or if the racing is done only at the local PHRF level where the ORC requirements may not be a factor. If you are doing local PHRF racing, I'd check with the race committee's to see what they say. T J
life lines
You can buy a "overcoat" of white "plastic" tubing that is designed to go over the existing life line. Available at West Marine or any large boating store. This is strictly a cosmetic coating and as others will point out it is will cover any problems with the stainless steel lines. It is slit on the bottom and slips over the existing line. These are strictly for looks and should not be considered as anything else. It will buy you some time before having to replace the life lines. The cost should be less then fifty cents a foot. I know a lot of people will not like this idea but if you are a casual cruiser it might be an alternative to replacing the lines or buy you time before you need to replace the lines.I would recommend a full inspection of the lines every couple of months to check for an safety issues.
You can buy a "overcoat" of white "plastic" tubing that is designed to go over the existing life line. Available at West Marine or any large boating store. This is strictly a cosmetic coating and as others will point out it is will cover any problems with the stainless steel lines. It is slit on the bottom and slips over the existing line. These are strictly for looks and should not be considered as anything else. It will buy you some time before having to replace the life lines. The cost should be less then fifty cents a foot. I know a lot of people will not like this idea but if you are a casual cruiser it might be an alternative to replacing the lines or buy you time before you need to replace the lines.I would recommend a full inspection of the lines every couple of months to check for an safety issues.
Paint em'
Two years ago I painted my plastic coated lifelines with Krylon Fusion Plastic spray Paint. I used a notched shoe box to contain the after spray and sprayed the tops and sides of the lifelines.... the result were white, clean looking lifelines. I do check my lifelines periodically as a whole and at the fittings to ensure everything is in order. by the way, two years later and they still look good. (they clean up very easily as the y are not as pourus as they were.)
Two years ago I painted my plastic coated lifelines with Krylon Fusion Plastic spray Paint. I used a notched shoe box to contain the after spray and sprayed the tops and sides of the lifelines.... the result were white, clean looking lifelines. I do check my lifelines periodically as a whole and at the fittings to ensure everything is in order. by the way, two years later and they still look good. (they clean up very easily as the y are not as pourus as they were.)
more information...
and thanks for such a wide spectrum of information. The boat is sailed on a freshwater lake, just casual cruising....no offshore racing, yet! Lines were inspected 3 months ago and all ok...for cost effective cosmetic improvement, I'm going to check into the plastic tubing over the exisitng lines. Good advice to re-inspect every few months. Thanks to all for your input.
and thanks for such a wide spectrum of information. The boat is sailed on a freshwater lake, just casual cruising....no offshore racing, yet! Lines were inspected 3 months ago and all ok...for cost effective cosmetic improvement, I'm going to check into the plastic tubing over the exisitng lines. Good advice to re-inspect every few months. Thanks to all for your input.
Mike,
...just saw your post, I like the creative solution..did one can do the job? Boat is 26 ft. with double lifelines.
...just saw your post, I like the creative solution..did one can do the job? Boat is 26 ft. with double lifelines.
Replace
I just replaced the cracked white plastic lines. I was able to do it for around $140 but the wire size drop from 3/16 to 1/8.
I just replaced the cracked white plastic lines. I was able to do it for around $140 but the wire size drop from 3/16 to 1/8.
Start with vinyl cleaners
Stephen: I would start with some of the vinyl cleaners. Then you may want to try Bon-ami. If these products do not do the job, then maybe you can try some more caustic products like MEK. The other down side to Spectra is it limited life when exposed to sunlight. You best bet is uncoated stainless. It will be there when you are gone if you stay in fresh water. Plastic tubing over the lifelines is unsafe! Check around, with some companies that make lifelines (Seco South, FL) for prices. PS: You can always cut the vinyl off the existing lifelines.
Stephen: I would start with some of the vinyl cleaners. Then you may want to try Bon-ami. If these products do not do the job, then maybe you can try some more caustic products like MEK. The other down side to Spectra is it limited life when exposed to sunlight. You best bet is uncoated stainless. It will be there when you are gone if you stay in fresh water. Plastic tubing over the lifelines is unsafe! Check around, with some companies that make lifelines (Seco South, FL) for prices. PS: You can always cut the vinyl off the existing lifelines.
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